Holloway unsure over Howard future

Mark Howard's Blackpool future is in doubt with the goalkeeper yet to put pen to paper on an improved contract offer.

Howard has played the last five games for Ian Holloway's side in the injury absence of regular number one Matt Gilks, but his current short-term deal expires after Crystal Palace's trip to Bloomfield Road this weekend.

Holloway would like to retain the 25-year-old former Aberdeen and St Mirren keeper within his squad, but insists the club will not be held to ransom.

He said: "At the moment there is a risk of losing him. Do I want that? No. But will we be held over a barrel? No, that doesn't happen here.

"The fact that he's out of contract is something that we had to put up with. We had no choice at the time. That we're trying to renegotiate with him is good. The chairman agrees with that.

"Where that's going to go to and how that's going to pan out, who knows, because I'm not dealing with it."